Face Mask, Quarantine Orders Extended

PROVIDENCE, RI — Several coronavirus-related executive orders have been extended to July, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced Friday. Face masks, telemedicine, quarantine requirements and the state of emergency will all be in place for an additional month.

"Coronavirus hasn't gone anywhere in the state of Rhode Island. It's still here," Raimondo said. "We have just learned how to deal with it."

All residents will continue to need a fabric face covering in public areas until July 4. Raimondo encouraged Rhode Islanders to make face coverings a part of their new daily life, bringing it with them when leaving the house in the same way as a phone, wallet or keys. Although they do not prevent the wearer from contracting COVID-19, a fabric face covering over the nose and mouth helps slow the spread of respiratory droplets that transmit the virus, reducing the risk of transmission to those around the wearer.

The following executive orders were extended to July 5:

• State of emergency: The governor first declared a state of emergency in Rhode Island March 9. Although the virus is far more under control in the state now, Raimondo said she will continue to extend the order until Rhode Island is no longer reliant on federal funding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and does not need the flexibility to respond to sudden changes quickly.
• Quarantine: Anyone who is diagnosed with COVID-19 is required to self-isolate in their home until symptoms are gone. Additionally, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who tests positive must quarantine and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
• Telemedicine: The coronavirus pandemic has forced innovation in the health care industry, Raimondo said. As the industry recovers from the pandemic, it's important to make these changes permanent, she said. During the month extension, the governor said she hopes to work with the state legislature to make the change permanent.

Raimondo and Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, both encouraged anyone who plans to attend one of the peaceful protests for racial justice this weekend to do so safely. Volunteers from the department will be stationed at the events to hand out masks to those who need them and answer questions. Their job is twofold, Alexander-Scott said, saying that the volunteers will promote safety while supporting the fight for racial equality, since racism is a barrier to health.

Those who attend are asked to wear masks, social distance from others as much as possible and self-monitor for symptoms. Signs are better than chants, Alexander-Scott said, since yelling can spread droplets that contain the virus. Finally, people who live with the elderly or those who are immunocompromised are asked to consider staying home from large protests.

"There are many other ways to get involved that aren't being at a rally," Alexander-Scott said.

Read more:

• Childhood Vaccines Down 35 Percent In RI During Pandemic
  
• 'Unequivocally, Black Lives Matter': Raimondo
• 'This Could Be The End Of Snow Days': Raimondo On Schools
• Rhode Island Works To Make Protests Safer From Coronavirus